FEAST OF ST. LUKE, EVANGELIST - 2021

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I chose you from the world
to go out and bear fruit,
fruit that will last,
says the Lord. JN 15:16

2 TIMOTHY 4:10-17 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

St. Paul's laments about his friends and companions who deserted him and those who turned against him are the experience of any of Your disciples worthy of the name. Paul had a few friends who stood bravely with him, sharing in his work of evangelization and providing him with all the support he required. Along with all the difficulties and threats to his life that he faced even as a prisoner there was still the ever-present danger of being brought before the tyrannical emperor of Rome who killed Your followers for sport.

Today, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Luke, the evangelist, a faithful companion and friend of St. Paul, to giants of the faith. We thank and praise You for all those valiant warriors of the faith from the apostles and Your first disciples, to those in the present age and until the end of time. It is because of the blood of martyrs that the Church You formed from Your side has grown. In her many find shelter, solace, and strength for our pilgrim journey from this life to the next. 

PSALM 145:10-13a,17-18 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

As the Church remembers and celebrates the evangelist St.
Luke, we give You thanks for him and those like him, who through the ages readily lay down their lives for the sake of the Gospel and to spread the Good News with no thought of personal gain.

We thank You, today in particular for St. Luke, and for the power of the Holy Spirit working through them that has given us his Gospel and an account of the Acts of the Apostles after Your Ascension into heaven.

The psalmist celebrates all the giants of our faith like St. Luke, who preached and spread the Gospel in every season despite the threat of persecution, imprisonment, torture, and death. The Holy Spirit working in and through them has given the Church a living legacy of its first birth pangs as it came 

They make known to men your mighty deeds
and the glorious splendour of your reign.
Yours is an everlasting kingdom;
your rule lasts from age to age.

Your friends, O Lord, make known the glorious splendour of your reign.